What is latent TB?
Latent TB is when a person has TB bacteria in their body but there are no symptoms, so they don’t feel unwell. You cannot pass latent TB on to others, but there is a risk that you will become ill with active TB later on, especially if your immune system is weakened, such as through another illness.
How did I catch TB?
If you have breathed in TB bacteria from someone who has infectious TB (in their lungs or throat), it is possible for the bacteria to stay ‘asleep’ in your body without you actually getting sick (latent TB).
How does latent TB turn into active TB?
The TB bacteria in your body might stay ‘asleep’ permanently. However they could, at some point, wake up and turn into active TB, making you develop symptoms and become ill. This is more likely to happen if your immune system becomes weakened, as the result of another illness or stress caused by personal circumstances (such as bereavement, loss of work or poor housing).
Am I at risk of latent TB?
You have a greater risk of catching TB (active or latent) if you:
- know someone who has had TB in their throat or lungs
- live or work in poorly ventilated or overcrowded conditions, where TB can spread more easily
- have links to areas of the world where TB is more common, such as Africa , Asia or Eastern Europe.
I have received a letter inviting me for a free latent TB health check
If you have received an invitation it is because you may be at greater risk of getting TB, so it’s a very good idea to have the test.
When you go for the test, you may be asked the following to help identify your risk of TB:
- if you were born in, or have strong links to, particular countries
- whether you know anyone who has had TB
- if you have any long-term illnesses, such as HIV
- if you currently have any unexplained symptoms.
The test is confidential and does not affect your immigration status in the UK.
What does the test for latent TB involve?
You will be given a skin test (called a Mantoux test) and/or a blood test which will confirm whether you have latent TB. It is likely you will also need a chest x-ray and assessment by a doctor or specialist nurse.
If your test result is positive you may be offered free treatment for latent TB. If the test is negative, you will not require any treatment.
What is the treatment for latent TB?
Latent TB is treated with a course of antibiotics for either three or six months, depending on what tablets you are given. It is important that you take the tablets properly and finish the full course of treatment to make sure that the TB bacteria are successfully killed.
What is contact tracing and screening?
If you have been in close contact with someone who has infectious TB, you will be asked to have a TB test. This will identify whether you have TB bacteria in your body.
